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The Importance of Vishu Festival

Vishu is an important and ancient Hindu festival of Kerala. Both those who live in Kerala and outside, celebrate it with piety. It infuses in the mind of all Keralities feelings of common legacy and brotherhood. It is a Religious and Socio-cultural festival. It is the day when sun transits from Meena (Pisces) Rasi to Mesha (Aries) Rasi. According to Indian astrological calculations, and represents the vernal equinox. "Vishu" in Sanskrit means "equal". This year it falls on 14th April. It is day of equinox. In other words, it means that on vishu day, both day and night are of equal duration. Astrologically, it is the beginning of Malayalam New Year, although we accept 1st Chingam (August

September) as our New Year. It is the time when horticultural crops like fruits and vegetables come fully ripe ready for harvesting, showing bounties of nature. Celebration of Vishnu has deeper meaning. It teaches mankind many lessons of joyful living. Purification of our heart or driving away from us all evil thoughts such as clinging to outside objects of pleasure, possessiveness , longing for the fruits of our action and cultivating truth , love, righteousness, peace and non-violence, charity, humility, forgiveness, contentment is celebration of Vishu in it true spirit. The most important ritual followed on the Vishu than day we is called Vishukani, which has much deeper meaning generally understand. The Malayalam word kani literally means "that which is seen first", so "Vishukkani" means

"that which is seen first on Vishu".

A layer of raw rice is spread on the bottom of a brass vessel called Urli. Fresh seasonal fruits like Jack fruit, pineapple, banana lemon, yellow gourd, cups filled with 9 types of grains are placed inside the vessel. It is decked with flowers. A photo of Unnikannan or Lord Krishnan adorned with Golden jeweled necklace and a mirror called Valkannadi, a jerry cloth made like a hand fan are also placed inside the vessel .This constitutes Vishukani . It is sight of Divine and material abundance. Betel leaves with aracanut and coins in a silver vessel are kept by the side of Kani. These are arranged in the pujaroom on the previous night. Early morning two bronze lamps are lit and kept on its either side to invoke divine spirit. This Kani or arrangement is harbinger of auspiciousness in all matters including robust health, material prosperity and peace of mind. At the wee hour an elderly women usually mother takes her/his children and others, as soon as they get up ,

with eyes closed before the Kani and they open their eyes and see the Kani as the first sight in the day and pray Lord Krishna for his grace. They also see their face in the mirror. According to old belief, first sight of Kani would herald luck and prosperity for the coming year and anyone who misses it is supposed to miss the fortunes that would otherwise smile at them in the coming year. Seeing ones face on the mirror points to the importance of making ones mind pure in all daily transactions. It also means being aware of our inner divinity which is the same in all living and non-living objects and the need to live in harmony and sense of oneness with all. After seeing Kani that elders give some coins as kainettam or gift to all other family members, friends and all those who visit the house on that day wishing. What is given would multiply! Goddess Lakshmi is goddess of wealth. That reminds that we should earn wealth only though right means, lead a frugal life and part with part of our earnings for good cause in the form of charity. It is the sowing season during which Vishu celebration taking place and hence prayers are offered for bumper crop in the coming season. On vishu day people put on new clothes, which means shedding away of old vices and cultivating new virtues in its place. Modest feats are prepared and shared with all including visitors Hospitality is practiced. In other words, it is a day to shun selfishness and for starting caring and sharing. It is also a day for the reunion of family members and friends and promotion of love, friendship, harmony and social bond. Vishu Kainettam

Special pujas are conducted in all the temples including the famous Sabarimala temple and people visit temples for worship. After receiving Kainettam, Children enjoy by lighting crackers. Thus the day is spent in piety and devotion. Children and even elders engage in some activities of fun in the afternoon such as playing local games. In the evening, traditional dance forms of Kerala such as Kathakali, Mohaniattum, and many folk dances are staged. Thus in short, celebration of Vishnu has much deeper meaning than we understand and appreciation of it helps us to celebrate the festival in its true spirit and be benefitted in our lives.

Two Special Vishu Recipes

1. Ada Pradhaman
Ada - 1 cup Milk - 3 cups Sweetened condensed milk - 1 small tin Sugar if necessary Water - 2 cups Cardamom - 1/2 tsp (powder) Clarified Butter (Ghee)- 1/2 tsp Method Add 3 cups whole milk in a wide vessel with a long spoon in it. Keep the same inside a pressure cooker till 3 whistles blows. Cook the milk for 1/2 hr over low flame. In the meanwhile, boil 2 cups water and add the Ada to the boiling water. Remove it from the heat and keep it closed till it becomes soft (20min). Drain the ada and keep it till all the water is drained (10 min). Take the milk out from the cooker that will have become pink color by now. Cook the milk further over medium flame and add the ada to the milk. Once it is done, add the sweetened condensed milk and cook for 1/2 hr. Add more sugar to your taste. Stir it with a spoon every now and then to avoid making lumps and so that it does not stick to the bottom of the vessel either. Once it is well cooked, add the cardamom powder and 1/2 tsp ghee (clarified butter) to enhance the taste and its aroma.

2. Bitter Gourd Theeyal

Ingredients for the preparation: 2 medium sized bitter gourd, cut into thin slices 1/2 tsp turmeric powder 1 cup coconut (grated) 1 thinly sliced shallot 1 tbsp ginger pieces (thinly sliced) 4 dry red chilies 1 tsp coriander seeds 1/8 tsp fenugreek seeds 1/8 tsp cumin seeds 4 green chilies 1 tbsp tamarind paste 1 bunch curry leaves Salt to taste Oil Seasoning 1 tsp oil 1/4 tsp mustard seeds 1 small thinly sliced shallot 1 pinch fenugreek seeds, Few curry leaves, 2 dry red chilies.

Method Cook the bitter gourd pieces with the turmeric powder and salt to taste. Water should be just enough to cook. Remove it from the oven, once it is half done. In the meantime dry roast the grated coconut till brown and keep it aside. Use the same oil to dry roast the red chilies, coriander powder, fenugreek seeds and cumin seeds. Keep them aside too. Saut the shallots and ginger pieces one after the other, by adding a little more oil to the pan and fry till they turn brown. Make a smooth paste of all the fried ingredients by grinding them all, adding a little water. Heat some more oil in the pan and saut the cooked bitter gourd pieces along with the slit green chilies. Saut the blend till they turn brown. Now, once it is cooked well enough, add the ground spice paste to it. Mix the tamarind paste, throw in the curry leaves and salt and a cup or more of water to the pan and stir well to further blend all of them. Cook till the gravy thickens. Taste and add more tamarind paste to make it tangier. For the seasoning, heat oil in a pan and crack some mustard seeds in it. Once the seeds start to splutter, add the remaining seasoning ingredients and fry well. Pour this over the prepared gravy. Serve with steamed hot rice, spread over a banana leaf.

Vishu Ashamsagal

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